The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-07
admitted to Mr. Beechers bedside. He va.


broken down by emotion.
Mrs. Beecher ia utterly worn out. She isa
year older than Mr.. Beecher. and is feeble al
best. DR.. Edward Beecher, brother of the DYING
man, was at the house this evening. Rev. Dr..
Scoville. of Stamford, son-in-law, arrived this
evening kilograms have been sent to William
Beecher, a brother, at Chicago; Charles Beecher.
brother, in Pennsylvahia; Thomas K Beeeher,
a brother, at Elmira; Rev. George K. Beecher,
a nephew. at Hillsboro. O., and Miss Scoville.
sister of Rev. DR.. Scoyille
Shortly after the services held at Plymouth
Church. which consisted only of the administers
ton of the sacrament by the Rev. Messrs. Pow
ell and Halliday a meeting of the officers Of the
church was held for the purpose of taking what
ever action might be deemed necessary in the
event of Mr.. Beechers death. Mr.. Henry L.
Pratt who presided, appointed as COMMITTEES
John I. Howard. who IS one of the oldest mem
bers of the church; Augustus Storrs, w. White.
Thos j. Tiney and Rossiter W. Raymond The
meeting then adjourned.
Nearly all the pastors in Brooklyn made refer
| ences in their sermons, this morning, to the sud
de4allness which had oefallen the distinguished
clergyman widely .known and revered. The
Rev. Dr. Talmage told how he greeted BY
Mr.. Beecher, who welcomed him when he first
came to Brooklyn. and how he presided not long
| ago. at the meeting which had gathered to well
come Mr.. Beecher his return from Europe
He spoke. also, of Mr.. Beechers presence at the
wedding Of his daughter There was no one
whom he loved to meet better.
| The Rev. DR.. George Reed, of the Hanson
place NJ. E. Church, invoked the divine blessing
on him who, during his life mad comforted
many.
Rev. DR.. Cuyler expressed his sympathy for
| the sorrowing church and the sorrowing State
The other clergymen of the city made apDropri
ate references to the sad event.
Rev. r. S. Storrs. who has long been antage-
nistic to Mr.. Beecher, in his prayer for the sick,
lin our Ibis congregation to-day, added the
words land vicinity He also prayed that the
impending blow might be spared. 1t was gen.
orally received by the congregation a reference
to Mr.. Beecher.
| T. Dewitt Talmage, in alluding TO Mr.
Beecher in his sermon to-day. said that while
persons might differ with him in politics and re-
lieion, all would acknowledge that when Henry
| Ward Beecher died vast vacuum would be left
| in this city and land. After paying tribute to
Mr.. Beechers genius brilliancy and eloqnences
he called on the congregation to join him ir
| prayer for the dying pastor.
President Cleveland telegraphed an inquiry.
last night, as to Mr.. Beechers condition, and
| asked if there was any hope of recovery. Hun
dreds of kilograms have been received by the
family from all parts Of the country. but they
| will not be given to the public while Mr.. Beech
| or lives
| A near friend of Mr. Beecner says that the
property left by him will rot exceed in value
1926, 900, though his income for score of years
has been $50, 600 per annum He gave freely in
all sorts of charities and the only self-indulgence
for which he was noted was in the collection Of
curious gems.
fsssA. Clair McKelway, managing editor Of the
Brooklyn Eagle says that preliminary steps
were making to celebrate triple anniversary
of events in Mr. Beecher's life. The celebra
tion was to have taken place in September. in
the Brooklyn Academy of Music. This is the
fiftieth year of Mr.. Reechers marriage. the ff
tieth of his ordination to the ministry, and the
forteth of his pastorate of Plymouth Church.
Had the beloved pastor lived, his congregation
and friends would have celebrated the event in
a monster jubilee.
A Mournful Occasion in Plymouth Church
Special to The indianapolis Journal
|,
at Mr. Beechers church this morning, but a
beautiful and impressive service took its place.
/, The church was we'll filled Rev. Dr. Powell
secretary Of the Home Missionary Society, con-
Quoted the service assisted by Rev. S. B. Haili
day. Mr.. Beechers white-haired assistant Dr.
Powell prayed for the congregation in the deep
aifliction that had come upon them Then the
venerable DR.. Halliday rose, and, with trembling
voice, said: 1T fit that omit
the regular service and celebrate only the COM
mnnion. l think your hearts will readily
respond to the change in the service. Tears
streamed DOWN his cheeks as he addedthat few
moments before, the condition Of Mr.. Beecher
had been pronounced hopeless; sobs were heard
from all parts of the church. and handkerchefs
were applied to the eyes of every woman and
many of the men present. Several new mem
bers we're received into the church, being bap-
tized by Mr.. Halliday, and the COM
munion sacrament was observed. This,
with reading of the service and the
, singing Of ono of Mr.. Beecher's favorite hymns,
ended the morning meeting. more mournful
!, occasion never witnessed. All seemed to
feel sense Of personal bereavement, almost
of despair Mr. Holiday announced that
service Of PRAYER would be held
this evening, as many OF Mr.. Beecher's
friends would be in the vicinity and
that would be the best means of informing them
of his condition. Before dismssing the congre-
CATION Mr.. Halliday said it seemed appropriate
: at this time to read an extract from their pas
tors writings. He read this sentence: When
we have passed into the twilight of life, and our
sun seems to be setting, let call back, 4
live'a AS the people slowly left the church the
: organst played II Know that Ny Redeeuer
: | Liveth."